I have to acquaint your Excellency that the two Brigs & Sloop which Anchored near Hempstead Harbour Last Night, to day made Sail & went down, the Sloop was Armed Carrying 12 guns, the Brigs were not, but deeply Loaded, two Sloops past Wtward with Hay—the Vessels which I discovered yesterday, far Etward have made very Little Progress to day, they this Evening appeard to be Standing in to Oyster Bay, near which there is a Small Encampment, which in some of my former Reports, I made mention of to your Excellency,1 there is about twenty five Sail of them four of which appear to be Ships—I am your Excellencys most Obt Hble Sert